Diagnosis of pituitary abscess and treatment via transsphenoidal surgery: experience from 15 cases

ObjectivePituitary abscess is an often misdiagnosed, rare clinical disorder. To improve diagnostic accuracy and the efficacy of surgical and antibiotic therapy for patients with pituitary abscess, herein, we retrospectively reviewed 15 patients who presented with pituitary abscesses from 2005 to 2022.DesignRetrospective study.PatientsFifteen patients underwent transsphenoidal surgery and received antibiotic treatment.MeasurementsComplete details regarding medical history, clinical manifestations, laboratory examinations, imaging studies, and treatment strategies were obtained for all patients.ResultsMost patients presented with hypopituitarism and headaches, while some presented with fever, visual disturbances, and diabetes insipidus (DI). Abscesses showed significant annular enhancement post gadolinium injection. In most patients, pituitary abscess can be cured via microscopic or endoscopic drainage of the abscess followed by antibiotic treatment. Complete cure of pituitary abscess was observed in nine patients, with six cases of prolonged hypopituitarism and only one case of recurrence. Long-term hormone replacement therapy was effective in the postoperative management of hypopituitarism.ConclusionsThe typical manifestations of pituitary abscess include hypopituitarism and headaches; the presence of an enhanced ring at the edge of the mass on contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance images (MRI) is highly suggestive of pituitary abscess. We recommend antibiotic treatment for 4–6 weeks postoperatively, based on the results of bacterial cultures or metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS).     

Comparison of anatomic and non-anatomic resections for very early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma: The importance of surgical resection margin width in non-anatomic resection

BackgroundThe superiority of anatomic resection (AR) over non-anatomic resection (NAR) for very early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has remained a topic of debate. Thus, this study aimed to compare the prognosis after AR and NAR for single HCC less than 2 cm in diameter.MethodsConsecutive patients with single HCC of diameter less than 2 cm who underwent curative hepatectomy between 1997 and 2017 were included in this retrospective study.ResultsIn total, 159 patients were included in this study. Of these, 52 patients underwent AR (AR group) and 107 patients underwent NAR (NAR group). No significant differences were noted in recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) between the AR and NAR groups (P = 0.236 and P = 0.363, respectively). Multivariate analysis revealed that low preoperative platelet count and presence of satellite nodules were independent prognostic factors of RFS and OS. Wide surgical resection margin did not affect RFS (P = 0.692) in the AR group; however, in the NAR group, RFS was found to be higher with surgical resection margin widths ≥1 cm than with surgical resection margin widths <1 cm (P = 0.038).ConclusionsPrognosis was comparable between the NAR and AR groups for very early-stage HCC with well-preserved liver function. For better oncologic outcomes, surgeons should endeavor in keeping the surgical resection margin widths during NAR ≥1 cm.     

Hepatic Artery Infusion Chemotherapy Using Fluorouracil,Leucovorin, and Oxaliplatin versus Transarterial Chemoembolization as Initial Treatment for Locally Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Propensity Score–Matching Analysis

PurposeTo compare the efficacy and safety of hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) with a modified fluorouracil, leucovorin, and oxaliplatin (mFOLFOX) regimen with that of transarterial chemoembolization as a locoregional treatment for patients with locally advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).MethodsThis retrospective study included adult patients with locally advanced HCC who received first-line treatment with either HAIC-mFOLFOX or conventional transarterial chemoembolization monotherapy from January 2015 to December 2016. The outcomes, including tumor response rates, evaluated via imaging assessment using the modified response evaluation criteria in solid tumors; overall survival; progression-free survival; and safety, were compared. The propensity score–matching methodology was used to reduce the influence of confounding factors on the outcomes.ResultsThe study included 131 patients with locally advanced HCC who underwent transarterial chemoembolization and 101 who received HAIC-mFOLFOX as initial treatment. After propensity score matching (n = 67 in each group), patients who received HAIC-mFOLFOX had a higher objective response rate (43.3% vs 13.4%, P = .001), longer median overall survival (13.9 vs 6.0 months, P < .001), and longer median progression-free survival (6.4 vs 2.8 months, P = .001) than those who underwent transarterial chemoembolization. The survival benefit with HAIC-mFOLFOX was strengthened in patients with HCC with vascular invasion (hazard ratio: 0.379; 95% confidence interval: 0.237–0.607). HAIC-mFOLFOX was associated with lower incidences of severe adverse events (8.9% vs 22.9%) and liver toxicity than transarterial chemoembolization.ConclusionsCompared with transarterial chemoembolization, HAIC-mFOLFOX is a potentially safer and more effective locoregional therapy for patients with locally advanced HCC.     

血清YKL-40联合AFP与AST对肝细胞癌的诊断价值

目的:探讨血清YKL-40对肝细胞癌的诊断价值。方法:选取157例原发性肝细胞癌患者，51例肝良性疾病患者以及72例健康人纳入试验。ELISA法检测血清YKL-40浓度；应用ROC曲线分析，计算其敏感性、特异性和cutoff值，并与其他血清标志物比较曲线下面积，探讨其诊断价值。结果:血清YKL-40诊断肝细胞癌的cutoff值为69.35 ng/ml，肝癌组YKL-40浓度显著高于肝良性疾病组和健康人群组（P<0.001）。YKL-40在区分肝癌与健康人群、肝癌与肝良性疾病的敏感性和特异性分别为86.0%和93.1%，91.1%和43.1%。AST在早期肝癌和AFP阴性肝癌的AUC分别为0.846和0.862；YKL-40，AFP和AST联合用于区分肝癌与肝良性疾病的AUC为0.909。结论:血清YKL-40是一个潜在的独立的诊断肝细胞癌的标志物，YKL-40联合AFP与AST对于早期肝癌和AFP阴性肝癌有较好的诊断价值。     

Biliary complications of arterial chemoembolization of hepatocellular carcinoma

Rationale and backgroundTransarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is the most frequently used palliative therapy for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). It is a safe and effective procedure with few major and minor complications. Rarely, biliary complications are also encountered following TACE. The goal of our study was to investigate the incidence and the presentation of biliary complications following TACE in patients with HCC.Material and methodsIn this retrospective study, data of patients with HCC who underwent TACE between June 2002 to December 2014 were obtained from the records. Their detailed information about the procedure of TACE, diagnosis of biliary complications and subsequent management details were reviewed.ResultOne hundred and sixty-eight patients with HCC underwent 305 procedures of TACE. Of these, biliary complications of various severities developed in 6 (3.6%) patients leading to an incidence of 1.9% (6/305). Minimal intrahepatic biliary dilatation (IHBD) occurred in three, biliary stricture in one and intrahepatic biloma in two patients. Supportive management was undertaken for IHBD patients while percutaneous aspiration and naso-biliary drainage was performed for the infected bilomas.ConclusionBiliary complications following TACE are infrequent. Diagnosis should be suspected clinically and confirmed with imaging. Treatment depends on the severity. Enforcing specific measures can minimize its frequency.     

亲和离心法检测甲胎蛋白异质体在肝癌诊断中的临床应用

目的采用亲和离心管法检测甲胎蛋白异质体（alpha Fetoprotein-L3,AFP-L3）,分析甲胎蛋白异质体AFP-L3在诊断肝癌的临床应用价值。方法选择150例临床检测甲胎蛋白AFP阳性者（≥20 ng/ml）,使用亲和离心管方法检测甲胎蛋白异质体AFP-L3,研究检测甲胎蛋白异质体（AFP-L3）用于临床鉴别肝癌的作用。结果以甲胎蛋白异质体AFP-L3≥10%作为诊断指标,对78例临床确诊为肝癌的患者甲胎蛋白异质体AFP-L3的诊断灵敏度是91.03%（71/78）;在72例临床诊断为其他肝脏疾病的患者甲胎蛋白异质体AFP-L3的诊断特异性达到95.83%（69/72）;甲胎蛋白异质体AFP-L3的符合率为93.33%[（71＋69）/150]。结论新型亲和离心柱法检测甲胎蛋白异质体AFP-L3对良、恶性肝病的鉴别诊断具有重要临床价值。     

血清AFP-L3、GP73检测联合CT扫描在肝细胞癌诊断中的价值

目的:检测肝病患者血清中甲胎蛋白异质体(AFP-L3)和高尔基体蛋白73(GP73)浓度,分析肝病患者病灶CT平扫加增强扫描后经处理技术得到二维及三维重建图像,探讨联合运用AFP-L3、GP73浓度检测与CT扫描两种技术在肝细胞癌(hepatocellular carcinoma,HCC)诊断中的价值。方法:采用酶联免疫吸附法检测肝病患者血清AFP-L3、GP73浓度,运用受试者工作特征曲线(recover operation characteristic,ROC)确定AFP-L3、GP73浓度诊断HCC的cut-off值。分析141例肝病患者总共164个病灶的CT扫描后经处理技术得到二维及三维重建图像而诊断HCC,探讨采用AFP-L3、GP73浓度测定与CT增强扫描及这两种方法联合应用在HCC的检出与定性诊断方面的价值。结果:HCC组AFP-L3浓度(113.58±63.62)ng/ml明显高于良性肝病组[(23.19±34.54)ng/ml,P<0.001],绘制AFP-L3浓度诊断HCC的ROC曲线,AFP-L3浓度38.47ng/ml为诊断HCC的cut-off值,诊断敏感性为81.08%,特异性为88.06%,诊断正确率为87.23%;HCC组GP73浓度(126.55±49.56)ng/ml明显高于良性肝病组[(56.97±26.48)ng/ml,P<0.001],绘制GP73浓度诊断HCC的ROC曲线,GP73浓度69.44ng/ml为诊断HCC的cut-off值,诊断敏感性为75.68%,特异性为91.04%,诊断正确率为88.65%。CT扫描诊断HCC的灵敏度为82.43%,特异度为91.04%,诊断正确率为90.07%。联合AFP-L3、GP73浓度检测与CT扫描诊断HCC的灵敏度为85.14%,特异度为92.53%,诊断正确率为92.19%。结论:联合运用血清AFP-L3、GP73浓度检测及CT扫描两种技术对HCC诊断灵敏度、特异度、诊断正确率较运用单一技术均有所提高,联合运用两种技术对HCC的准确早期诊断具有积极的意义。